Worried by complaints of recession and food prices increment, the Federal Government (FG) led by President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the setting up of a Task Force saddled with the responsibility of addressing the rising cost of food items across the country.

According to Ceoafrica, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this while briefing journalists alongside the Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun and Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika.

The meeting, which was held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was presided over by the acting President and Nigeria’s vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

 Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that the Federal Government is concerned over the exorbitant prices of the food items and is determined to do something urgently to reverse the trend, which led to the setting up of the task force members he listed as the ministers of agriculture, finance, water resources and transportation.

“The major highlight is that the council has resolved to set up task force on food security, as Government is concerned about the rising cost of food items and the fact that when the products are available and are in the market, they are often sold at very exorbitant prices.

“So, the government has set up a task force on food security to ensure that an end is put to the wastages that occur and with tons and tons of produce lying fallow in farms or getting rotten in markets.

“It is an inter-ministerial committee made up of the ministers of agriculture, finance, water resources, transportation,’’ he said, adding that the team, which has one week to submit its interim report to the Council, would suggest areas of intervention by the government.

He stated that the intervention could be in the area of subsidy in transportation, which is being worked out, but that the Government’s approval of the task force has shown how much concern they show on the rising cost of food.

 “The committee, hopefully, is expected to report back to council next week, and concrete actions would be taken”. Lai said.